Resident Michael D Higgins has said that he’s concerned about the effect gambling is having on sports people and athletes, and that he’d like to see a ban on gambling ads in sports.

Speaking on RTÉ’s Sunday Sport yesterday, Higgins said that he was concerned about some of the cases of gambling among the GAA community and had met people who had suffered because of a gambling addiction.

“If I had my way, I wouldn’t have advertising of any access to gambling platforms in sport at all. I really worry when I read the cases,” he said. I think in a way we should protect our sports [by] keeping them free from this kind of stuff.

Adding further on his point, he said that education at an early age can help, but it will not totally solve the growing problem. “As well as that, we do need, and it’s not for me as President [to do something] as I’m no influence except to say what I think, is that the integrity of sport means having care for everyone who participates.